Tattwa (FIVE ELEMENTS)

According to Shiva Swarodaya “Creation takes place due to the tattwas (subtle essences), It is sustained by them and finally dissolves into them. O Devi, the tattwas are the origin of the Brahmanda (universe). The tattwas (elements) are the primal cause as ascertained by the exponents of the tattwas.” In a Swaras Chintamani Lord Shiva explains that “My five faces represent Tattwas and afford knowledge to the three worlds.” In Hindu Philosophy Tattwas are five elements from which whole universe is made of.  Our body is also made up of these five elements. These five elements are related to our five senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch and sight. They are also called panch(five) tattwas or panch bhootas. Upanishad tells that the five elements or pancha tattwas evolved from mind, mind from prana and prana from super consciousness. These five Tattwas are:

PRITHVĪ – Earth
ĀPAS – Water or Jal
TEJAS – Fire
VĀYU – Air

ĀKĀSHA – Space or Ether

According to Bhagawat Geeta “Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego — all together these eight constitute My separated material energies.” Those eight together called ashtbhutas or eight elements. Mind, intelligence and false ego are less important. Each tattwa has a particular pranic frequency and affects the mechanisms of the body and flow of prana.

There is only one birth less and formless supreme existence from which evolves akasha (ether or space element), and from akasha comes vayu (air element). From vayu originates tejas (fire element), from tejas, apas (water element), and from apas, prithvi (earth element). These five elements are spread throughout the whole world in this fivefold manner. Due to these five elements creation is formed and sustained, and again merges back into the tattwas. (This is the continual subtle process of creation.) Thus it comes to stay within the five elements again. These five elements are present in subtle form within the body which originates from these five elements. Only those who has knowledge of science can understand these. Shiva tells in Shiva Swarodaya “Unless you know about the tattwas, you are under the illusion of name and form, and ignorance itself keeps you in the dark.” In earlier posts I told you about Swara Cycle. During the first three days of the bright fortnight, the lunar nadi flows first and then alternates. In the first three days of the dark fortnight, the solar nadi flows first and then alternates. Beginning with the lunar swara in the bright fortnight and the solar swara in the dark fortnight these swaras alternate during twenty-four hours of the day and night at the frequency of two and a half ghatis (sixty minutes) each (i.e. each swara alternates twenty-four times in one day and night). in each hour the five tattwas are active.

PRITHIVI TATTWA: Ancient people referred the body as the Earth element. Prithvi Tattwa is yellow, square (some says quadrangular), 12 inches in length, extending from the centre of the nostril and good for cultivation works. the earth element in the swara are in slow speed, reaching down to the chin with a heavy sound and slight warmth. This provides success in all kinds of steady works so during the predominance of the earth element it is the time for steady actions. During the earth element, the mind is orientated towards material thoughts. Its nature is heavy. It lies in mooladhara chakra. Mantra of Prithivi Tattwa is LAM. According to Prapanchasara Tantra prithvi represents the nostrils(smell). In astrology Prithivi Tattwa represents the planet mercury. Earth is located in the region of the knees. The Earth element is little warm in nature. In context of direction, Prithvi governs East. Prithivi Tattwa is responsible for the physical constitution of the body like Bones, tissues and teeth. These are the characteristics of Prithivi Tattwa or Earth Element.

JALA TATTWA: Water(apas) is a second tattwa. It is of semi-lunar shape, white colour astringent taste, 16 inches in length, touching the lower position of the nostril and good for propitiation ceremonies. The water element predominant swara flows downwards, is heavy sounding, flows with fast speed and is cool. This is suitable for performing auspicious activities. During the predominance of water element, it is time for moving work. It lies in swadhisthana Chakra. It is represented by tongue which is used for both taste and speech. Its Mantra is VAM. In Astrology it is connected with moon and venus. Water is located in the feet. The nature of Water is fully cold. It governs the west direction. It is responsible for the liquid state of matter and fluid metabolism in the body like Blood, lymph and other fluids. These are the characteristics of jala tattwa or water element.

AGNI TATTWA: Fire(TEJAS) Element is triangle in shape, fire(fire is red) in colour, pungent taste, 8 inches in length, touching the outer nose and good for religious ceremonies. The fire element predominant swara flows in a circular motion, is very hot, flows upwards and is only suitable for performing cruel actions During the predominance of fire element it is time for difficult actions. Fire is located in both the shoulders. the fire is extended in the south. Predominance of fire element brings thoughts about treasure, wealth, etc. According to Shiva Swarodaya fire brings death. Fire signifies the sun and Mars. The essential work of Fire is to generate heat. It is represented by eye(sight). It is responsible for digestion and perception. These are the characteristics of agni(TEJAS) tattwa.

VAYU TATTWA: It is of circular in shape, blue(cloud blue) in colour, sweet(air is pleasant sour in some texts) in taste, flows in an oblique direction(fluctuating manner), the length of the swara of the air element is eight angular (finger's breadth) or 4 inches in length, air crossing the nostril and during predominance of air element it is time for for actions harmful to others or matters of governing movements. According to Shiva Swarodaya air brings destruction. It is stated that if Vayu Tattwa runs, all deeds of movements have to be made. Air element is located at the root of the navel. It governs north direction. During the air element the thoughts are oriented towards one's life. These are the characteristics of air element or vayu tattwa.

AKASHA TATTWA: The swara which carries the qualities of all the other elements in a balanced manner should be known as (predominated by) ambara or akasha, (i.e. ether). Ether or space element is shapeless, distance less, colourless and permeates the universe everywhere. The ether element predominated swara is indistinguishable in colour, shape, taste and flow. It is also all-pervading and provides liberation. This provides success to yogis in learning yoga, suitable for meditation, Prayers to deities, concentration, installation of mantra tantra and knowledge of salvation. However, in all other affairs it is useless. During the predominance of ether element, there is no thought or worry, only shoonyata (void). These are the characteristics of akasha tattwa.

So about basic characteristics of tattwas have been Stated. In the next post I will write about Rules regarding tattwa and how to gain perfection in tattwa through Tattwa Sadhana. Thank you.